Story is key - even documentaries have a story or storyline - make your film engaging for your audience so that right from the start they want to see it through.

Sound - even if you don't use a presenter or voiceover, the sound is what gives your film atmosphere and emotion. If you pick up wind noise from your camera or recording device don't just 'let it go'. Think about replacing it with music (make sure you have permission) or a separately recorded soundtrack of atmospheric sounds or a commentary recorded in a quieter atmosphere.

Keep it Steady - lots of wobbly shots can make your viewer feel unsettled. If you don't have a tripod try resting your camera on a bag of rice. If you are going for a handheld shot make sure you are steady - plant your feet firmly apart, lock your knees and keep your elbows tight in to your sides. For low shots rest the camera on the ground or sit with your knees up and feet flat on the ground and rest the camea on your knees. Breathe slowly and steadily and if you can lean on something stable like a tree or wall you can brace yourself.

Style - this is what can make your film interesting and give it something others won't have. Use a variety of shot sizes - close up, mid shot, wide shot and shot movements - pan, tilt, tracking, zoom. Take time to frame your shot for the greatest impact.

Keep it short. Your entry for Wild Shorts must be between 2 and 4 minutes duration (including any titles and credits). This may sound short when you think of telling a story but just think what powerful messages can be shared in a 20 second advert!

Watch this news page for more tips and we are always happy to chat on the telephone or by email if you need any help with your film. Click here for contact details.

Local families took part in a fun wildlife film making activity day at Braunton Countryside Centre yesterday. The event, organised by North Devon Moving Image as part of our Wild Shorts project, resulted in a fabulous short film about life in a rockpool.

The children aged between 4 and 9 and their parents used the resources in the Countryside Centre to research their film. They created rockpool creature puppets and wrote their own scripts, learning their lines and rehearsing presenter links and voiceovers. Then, with some TV magic using an iPad and greenscreen we recorded and edited Life in a Rockpool.